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Your Observer | All

The front entrance of Manatee County's leased space at Whitney Plaza.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 15, 2025
County finds obstacles with Whitney Plaza community center space

Manatee County will still try to create a community space on the north end of Longboat Key, but where to put that space may be in question.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key's Town Commission election on March 19, 1979.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 15, 2025
Unlike recent years, Longboat will have a contested commission race in 2025

The last contested Town Commission race was in 2018, and since then, the island has lacked campaigning and competition for the town's most powerful board.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lo’ Key Island Grille opened Jan. 6, 2025.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 15, 2025
Lo' Key Island Grille now open on Longboat Key

The island's newest restaurant, Lo' Key Island Grille, is now open for business.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Woman discards suitcase with $22,000 check inside
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 15, 2025
Woman discards suitcase with $22,000 check inside

Angry over stolen money, a woman threw out her boyfriend's suitcase full of clothing and a check he had to deliver to his boss. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Nolan Middle School student Danni Hammond poses with her cow ahead of the Manatee County Fair.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 15, 2025
Don't miss these events at the Manatee County Fair

Key information as the Manatee County Fair begins its 2025 run in Palmetto.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Florida shines fiscally
    By
  • Adrian Moore
  • January 15, 2025
Florida shines fiscally

Measured against all states, Florida’s total liabilities per capita are among the lowest, thanks to Gov. DeSantis and the Legislature paying down debt. But local governments’ debt is another story.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
P1 Offshore has announced that Sarasota has been dropped from its 2025 schedule of races.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • January 14, 2025
Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix canceled for 2025

Finances and uncertainty about construction around Sarasota Bay have sunk the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix for this year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will hold a celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Sunday, Jan. 19, at the Sarasota Opera House.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 14, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Jan. 16-22

Don't miss these arts and entertainment events around Sarasota and Manatee counties this week.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Instructor Terri Noyes talks with Pete Clausen about the basics of scoring in pickleball.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 14, 2025
Pickleball clinic teaches newcomers basics of the growing sport

The Jan. 13 clinic hosted at The Paradise Center on Longboat Key gave people the opportunity to learn from two certified instructors.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
This Pomello home sold for $2,825,000. It has five bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,943 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • January 14, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 30-Jan. 3 in Lakewood Ranch

A Pomello home on 77th Avenue East tops the week's sales at $2.83 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Shannon Hunt
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 14, 2025
Wellness lounge, cacao cafe opens in Rosemary District

The space, established by nonprofits Conscious Cause and Streets of Paradise Inc., is intended to foster contributions from the community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Town staffer finds balance with tiring work and passion for weightlifting
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 14, 2025
Town staffer finds balance with tiring work and passion for weightlifting

Matthew Ballew's busy days working for Longboat Key Public Works are paired with a lifestyle of weightlifting and bodybuilding, which has taught him important life lessons.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Kevin Van Ostenbridge sits through one of his last meetings as commissioner on Oct. 22, 2024. He's since filed two lawsuits claiming defamation.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 14, 2025
Former Manatee commissioner sues another commissioner for defamation

Kevin Van Ostenbridge, who was the District 3 commissioner in Manatee County, is suing former at-large Commissioner Betsy Benac.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch junior midfielders Paolo Morales (front) and Ryan Johnson have been essential in helping transform the Mustangs' offensive strategy this season.
    By
  • Dylan Campbell
  • January 14, 2025
Lakewood Ranch boys soccer charges toward the postseason

The Mustangs look to rectify last season's loss to North Port High in the district tournament later this month.

  • East County
  • Sports
Couple found enjoying 'snuggle time' in business lot after hours
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 14, 2025
Couple found enjoying 'snuggle time' in business lot after hours

An officer investigated a suspicious vehicle parked in a business lot after hours and found a couple enjoying some quality time. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
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Latest News

1
Cardinal Mooney football was stocked with star athletes in 2025 en route to the FHSAA Class 2A state title. The Cougars, though, were far from the only local high school athletic program to achieve big things.
  • June 10, 2026
Best of the Best: Sarasota's top high school athletes of 2025-26
2
Madison McKay is in her second and final season with Sarasota Crew. With the club's Youth Women's Eight boat, she'll have a chance at ending her high school rowing career as a junior national champion.
  • June 10, 2026
Team change lifts local rower into the junior national championships
3
Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group of Memphis will be representing Latin culture at AACTWorldFest, which runs from June 15-20 at the Venice Theatre.
  • June 10, 2026
Venice Theatre hosts global theater showcase WorldFest
4
Resort guest annoyed by sunset bagpipe serenade
  • June 10, 2026
Resort guest annoyed by sunset bagpipe serenade
5
Longboat Key Fire Rescue has two ladder trucks that can reach 75 feet, including this Sutphen engine built in 2020, which serves as the primary engine at Fire Station 92.
  • June 10, 2026
Cost to replace fire trucks continues to rise

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